Who is Bernice Branford Lewis?

Secret Place

The secret place
in which I dwell
is protected;
My heart doth swell.

It's my refuge.
I can safely trust
The One who keeps me
Without a fuss.

Because He hides me
Beneath His wing,
I can rejoice
Through anything.

My soul's at peace,
Though I shed a tear.
I am not afraid...
My Lord is here.

Copyright 2004 Norma Budden

Every day I think of how fortunate I am that my life is busy - until the busyness begins to feel overwhelming - when I must try to be in two places at once, knowing it's impossible to do so, yet striving all the same. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? It is, however, the story of my life over recent months, though I do manage to find time to relax each evening doing one of the things I love most - writing.

Would you like to hear something amazing? Bernice Branford Lewis is even busier than I am. In itself, that may not be so amazing. However, this next fact will certainly surprise you: I am in my 30s whereas Mama Lewis is in her 80s. It's true! She is almost 5 decades older than me yet has more spunk and stamina than I could ever hope to continually muster on a daily basis.

Lately, I regret not being in touch with her as often as I should be - though I do send her e-mails about everything I'm writing on-line, which continually amazes and astounds her. She keeps telling me what a prolific writer I am; she makes my heart proud because I know she only speaks what she feels is true.

I know some of the things I tell Bernice Branford Lewis must upset her, sometimes, but as though I was her natural born child, she loves me and accepts me as I am, without judging me. It's truly a humbling thought because I certainly don't feel as though I deserve her loyalty and her love - yet, strangely enough, I am blessed with both.

Many people hide their tears from those they love; it's truly a shame not to allow others to help in the healing process. I remember sharing with Mama Lewis some of my deepest, most painful memories - memories I thought would forever chase me in my sleeping hours. I truly believe God used her to heal the broken soul I used to be; there is a vast difference between the person I am today compared to the person I used to be before this wonderful lady wrote her way into my life. Truthfully, the new me is much more at peace than the old me could ever have been.

There have also been many moments when Mama Lewis made me smile and laugh out loud. Her enthusiasm was contagious whether we were discussing my children, my writing, my travels or any other aspect of my life that I shared with her - which was just about everything I can imagine.

Did you just have an idea go through your head, wondering whether or not we could have possibly discussed that particular subject? Chances are that we probably did, on some level.

Bernice Branford Lewis is a Christian Reading Consultant who continues to tutor students of all ages who have difficulty with the written word. She tutors most days but likes to take her days off, as well, so she can catch up on things she needs to get done. She is sure to make it to church each Sunday unless some unfortunate happenstance results in her being in the hospital for a few days.

Mama Lewis has boasted of her angel - an earthly person she can count on to run errands, tend to repairs and do other little things around her house. She feels blessed that God has provided her with such a wonderful person to rely on during times of crisis and need, though he is busy with his own life, too - a fact which she fully appreciates.

She has one natural daughter whom she loves and treasures with every fiber of her being. However, she has me, too, whom she also treasures but has yet to meet in person. I'm not sure how many other adopted daughters and sons she may have but it wouldn't surprise me if there were several.

Another point to note: Mama Lewis loves celebrations and she likes to celebrate in a big way! If I recall correctly: on a recent birthday, Mama Lewis shared a meal with 64 invited guests! I told you she liked to celebrate!

I sometimes wonder whether or not I would have encountered Mama Lewis, had it not been for her intense love for poetry. She, too, writes poetry which stirs the soul - poetry which likes to take hold and not let go.

I've decided to present a couple of her poems so that you, too, may enjoy them:

~~~ What Do You Know About Christmas? ~~~

Did Jesus have the finest of clothes?
They were only clean pieces of cloth, you know.

Was He born in a place where a king had stayed?
It was only a stable where animals lay.

Were His parents people of great renown?
They were the nicest people that could be found.

Was Bethlehem an outstanding place?
It was a small town with people of grace.

Was His bed a manger made of wood?
It was supposed to hold the animals' food.

Did the angels sing in this lowly place?
Did a bright star shine on Jesus' face?

Did the shepherds fall on their knees to pray
To the wonderful baby born this day?

We can say, "Yes," for these things are true
And they have meaning for me and for you.

For God sent His Son to show us the way,
And to guide our lives through the night and day.

The day in December that marks His birth
Has so much meaning and so much worth.

For Jesus became a man of all time
Who brought us a message that is so divine.

For Christmas means worship the Son, Our Savior
By showing His goodness by our behavior.

What should we do to set Christmas apart?
Honor and keep His love in our hearts.

It was love and goodwill that He brought when He came;
It was peace on earth that came with His name.

All of these years are the years of our Lord,
May we strive to live like him - in one accord.
For He came to show us right from wrong;
Let us honor His life in word and in song.

~~ Bernice Branford Lewis ~~

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~~~ Complete Me, O Lord ~~~

Heal me, O Lord
And I shall be healed,
For Your Word is my spiritual meal.

Save me, O Lord
And I shall be saved,
It is Your ministry that I crave.

Bless me, O Lord
And I shall be blessed;
In Your bosom I am caressed.

Teach me, O Lord
And I shall be taught;
Instruct me to do the things I ought.

Mold me, O Lord
And I shall be molded;
Thank You; salvation is unfolded.

Complete me, O Lord
And I will be made whole;
Your excellent benefits are mine to extol.

Hallelujah, Lord,
Praises to Your name;
All need to know You and proclaim Your fame.

~~ Bernice Branford Lewis ~~

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~~~ God is so Much a Part of Me ~~~

God is so much a part of me
In every good thing, His work I see.
In every breath that I normally take
I want to breathe it for Jesus' sake.

God is so much a part of my thoughts.
He helps me to speak and do as I ought.
My pledge, my troth, my task each day
Is to help some human along the way.

God's Holy Spirit is a wonderful sphere.
It's His precious presence that is so dear.
It nourishes me and keeps me strong.
It makes me aware of every wrong.

God is so much a part of me.
My life depends on the Deity.
I want to be near Him all of the time
Because His presence is so divine.

I want so much to be part of God
Inspired and fired by His chastening rod.
I want my joy and goodness to show
so that each individual here below...

will hunger and thirst for the God I know.

~~ Bernice Branford Lewis ~~
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